🌍 Today’s Calendar - May 18, 2026

Day 1 of the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.

China's industrial production figures for April will be released at 04:30 Moscow time.

In Russia, the results of the UGLD auction are expected to be announced.

Dividend reports are anticipated for HNFG and OGKB.

Additionally, Baidu's earnings report will be available at 11:00 Moscow time.

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🌎 The current exchange rates show that USDCNY stands at 6.81, while USDTRUB is at 75.5.

⚠️ Stocks and cryptocurrencies are trading lower, while oil prices are rising during the Asian session. Gold and silver have fallen as well. U.S. government bonds are experiencing significant declines. For more details, visit mt в max.

⚠️🇮🇷 Former President Trump held a national security meeting over the weekend to discuss Iran, with the Pentagon preparing military strike plans should he decide to resume attacks, according to CNN. Trump also hinted at a potential strike on Iran in a post on Truth Social. Meanwhile, The Independent reports that Iran could withstand U.S. actions for months, given its remaining weaponry. mt в max

🚨 China’s industrial output growth significantly slowed in April, rising by only 4.1% year-on-year, missing expectations of 6% and down from a previous 5.7%. Year-to-date, the growth stands at 5.6%, down from 6.1%. Retail sales growth has also decelerated to its lowest level since 2022, indicating potential challenges for the economy. For more details, visit mt в max.

🚀 A recent survey reveals that every second Russian regrets not purchasing Bitcoin (BTC), according to TASS. The growing interest in cryptocurrency reflects a significant shift in public sentiment towards digital assets. For more insights, visit mt в max.

⚠️🇷🇺 The resilience of housing developers in Russia is nearly exhausted, stated Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin in an interview with RIA Novosti. For more details, visit here. Additional insights can be found at mt in max.

✨ Long-term holders have been consistently buying BTC after the price drop at the beginning of this year, with approximately 316,000 BTC purchased in the last month, according to data from CryptoQuant.

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🚨 Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen below $77,000, raising concerns among investors. The fluctuation in the cryptocurrency market continues to attract attention as analysts monitor trends and potential impacts on trading strategies. For more details, visit this link.

⚠️🇨🇳 International investors pulled $22 billion from Chinese stocks in a week, marking the highest outflow since January, according to EPFR data.

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⚠️🇨🇳🇺🇸 China is continuing to reduce its holdings of U.S. government bonds, with the amount of American Treasuries on China's balance sheet dropping to its lowest level since 2008.

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⚠️🇮🇷 Iran plans to charge for underwater internet cables facilitating traffic between the Gulf states, Europe, and Asia, according to Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran's military command. CNN reports that Iranian state media has ambiguously warned that traffic could be disrupted if companies fail to comply with the payment demands. For more information, visit Kommersant and mt in max.

⚠️🌎 A new oil shock is driving higher and more persistent inflation. Oil prices remain above $100, negotiations between the US and Iran have stalled, and the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. These factors are expected to contribute to rising prices, according to Bloomberg Economics.

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🚀 "WUSH Holding" reports a 47% year-on-year increase in trips on the Whoosh service in Russia from May 1 to May 11, 2026.

💥✴️HYPE surges by 8% as Tradexyz launches a synthetic pre-IPO market for SpaceX on the Hyperliquid platform. Currently, SpaceX is valued at approximately $1.8 trillion, while the company anticipates a valuation exceeding $2 trillion. Initial trading on Nasdaq is set to commence on June 12. For more information, visit mt in max.

💰 The Ministry of Economic Development does not anticipate an acceleration of inflation despite economic growth, according to Maxim Reshetnikov in an interview with RBC. For more details, visit this link. Additional insights are available at mt in max.

⚠️🇮🇷 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that all U.S. military bases located in the southern Persian Gulf will be deactivated. This statement raises concerns about the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. For more information, visit mt в max.

⚠️🇮🇷 Saudi Arabia has reported an attack involving Iranian drones. The Kingdom's Ministry of Defense stated that three drones were intercepted and destroyed after entering Saudi airspace. For more details, visit mt в max.

🚫🛢 The energy crisis stemming from the war in Iran is entering a more perilous phase. During the summer season, increased demand for air conditioning and travel will put additional strain on oil, gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel reserves. Traders warn of an impending turning point where global oil prices could surge sharply again. — FT

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💼 NextEra Energy is in talks to acquire Dominion Energy for $66 billion, offering $76 per share. The potential deal could reshape the energy sector significantly. For more updates, visit mt в max.